Current role of endoscopic ultrasound investigation in the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases – our experiences

Czech version

Authors: T. Krechler; M. Dvořák; T. Švestka
Authors‘ workplace: Přednosta: prof. MUDr. Aleš Žák, DrSc. ; 4. interní klinika 1. LF UK a VFN Praha
Published in: Prakt. Lék. 2012; 92(1): 35-39
Category: Of different specialties

Overview

The diagnosis of pancreatic diseases is still problematic. Non-invasive methods in diagnosis are the most important :

abdominal ultrasound,
computerised tomography,
magnetic resonance,
positron emission tomography.

Endoscopic ultrasound combines both the endoscope and ultrasound investigation. This special examination plays a crucial role in the differential diagnosis in the specific cases of pancreatic diseases. Between October 2008 and October 2011 in our department (Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Hospital in Prague) we carried out 720 investigations using endoscopic ultrasound with one-dimensional ultrasound probe:

156 patients (21.6 %) had been diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis (or suspicion),
148 patients (20.5 %) had pancreatic cancer (or suspicion), and
49 patients (6.8 %) had cystic tumour of the pancreas (or suspicion).

Only 122 patients (16.9 %) had normal endoscopic ultrasound findings.

According to our results, endoscopic ultrasound has an irreplaceable role primarily in the

differential diagnosis of focal lesions,
diagnosis of small lesions of the pancreas,
and early diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis.

Endoscopic ultrasound is a special “expert dependent” method, and it is imperative that it is performed in specialised and experienced departments.

Key words:
differential diagnosis, endoscopic ultrasound, pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis, cystic tumour of the pancreas

Sources

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Article was published in

General Practitioner

2012 Issue 1